2014-11-23 21:36:20 | SALOON Data writes:

The record was updated:

2007-01-25 00:04:29 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:
www.classicdriver.fr/fr/1000.asp

Sellers description:
Jaguar MK II COOMBS
Peter Byrne
Jaguar MK II COOMBSPeter Byrne Petrol ONE OF THE FEW. An original Coombs Jaguar Mark 11 3.8 MOD in opalescent dark blue metallic with grey hide - its original spec and one of the nicest of the Coombs coloured cars. The car has been totally restored at enormous expense to concours condition. It is fitted with some essential modern upgrades such as an aluminium radiator, alternator and electric fan. The car is well documented and is detailed in Nigel Thorley's book "Jaguar Mark 1 & Mark 11" The history includes the first owner Bob Jennings use of the car in 1964 at some 15 sprints and hill climbs including Shelshey Walsh and Prescott. This powerful yet still very driveable car comes with an original service book, handbook and original Coombs key ring. THE ULTIMATE IN MARK 11

ByrneLocation:Chislehurst Kent
colour Opalescent Dark Blue
interior colour Grey hide
drive RHD
type Saloon
year 1963
Chassis No. 231336DN
price 95.000 GBP
VAT No
country United Kingdom

2014-11-20 21:01:46 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 11/14
www.bonhams.com/auctions/21904/lot/18/

Auction description:
Lot 18
Coombs Modified in Period
1963 Jaguar Mk2 3.8-Litre Sports Saloon
Registration no. 8504 PE Chassis no. 231336DN
£70,000 - 80,000
US$ 110,000 - 130,000
Auction 21904:
The Bond Street Sale
30 Nov 2014 14:00 GMT
Registration no. 8504 PE
Chassis no. 231336DN

This 3.8-litre Mk2, chassis number '231336DN', was supplied new via Henlys (London) to Bob Jennings, who later would own a lightweight E-Type. Wanting more performance, Jennings despatched the car to John Coombs for modification, which included up-rating the engine with special camshafts, a lightened flywheel, twin 2" SU carburettors and a large-bore exhaust. A close-ratio gearbox was installed, the suspension up-rated and lowered, the wheelarches modified, and an E-Type steering wheel fitted. Jennings is known to have entered the Mk2 in the BRDC Brighton speed trial, but kept the car for only a little over one year. In 1964 the Jaguar was offered for sale by Graham Cook (Grosvenor Cars) of Guildford, from whom it was purchased by Mr John Feeley. The accompanying old-style logbook lists three further owners into the early 1970s, at which time the original registration '37 PF' was removed and the car reregistered as '8504 PE', another 1963 mark.

There is a gap in the ownership records between 1972 and July 1980 when the Mk2 was rediscovered in a private garage in Twickenham by Jaguar enthusiast, Tim Spital. By this time the original cylinder block, believed damaged, had been replaced with one from a MkIX saloon as per standard Coombs practice, though the original cylinder head had been retained (it has since been replaced). The car had also been partially dismantled, with the removed parts stored in boxes. For the next decade-and-a-half, Tim Spital collected the original Jaguar parts, both large and small, required to undertake a restoration. Sadly, ill health prevented him from starting the rebuild and in 1997 Tim sold the car and all the accumulated spares to his friend David Sedge of Maidstone, a professional classic car restorer and ex-Brown's Lane employee.

The Jaguar was then stripped down to the bare bodyshell and painstakingly rebuilt by David himself. All panels, with the exception of one wing, are original. Important engine work was entrusted to the renowned marque specialist, Rob Beere, while the gearbox was rebuilt by Colin Sharpe using Quaife shafts. The electrics were rewired by Graham Sage (who worked on 'Thrust 2') to high specification but period appearance; the upholstery re-trimmed by Mark Webber of Altrim; the brightwork re-plated by Swinards; and the woodwork refurbished by Malcolm Hall of London Carriage Craft. A full list of works carried out, specialists involved and the car's current specification is on file (inspection recommended).

Specification highlights include a Rob Beere 'Option 4' full-race lead-free cylinder head; high-capacity oil pump; 9½" competition clutch; oil cooler; aluminium radiator; alternator electrics; rebuilt competition overdrive; quick-ratio competition steering box; competition wire wheels; louvred bonnet; and a Derrington steering wheel. The car was repainted in its original colour scheme of opalescent dark blue, while the interior, originally light blue, has been re-trimmed in grey. (It should be noted that the clutch pedal must be depressed when engaging or disengaging the overdrive). We are advised that a rolling road dynamometer test produced a reading of just under 300bhp, and the car is reputed to have achieved a speed of 135mph.

David Sedge completed the rebuild, which reputedly cost in excess of £50,000, in 2001 and kept the car until 2007 when it passed via dealer Peter Byrne to the current owner. Classic Jaguar World magazine featured '8504 PE' in its December 2001 edition (copy on file), former Coombs employee Ken Bell having inspected and authenticated the Mk2 during the article's preparation. The car is offered with the aforementioned old-style logbook, sundry bills, current MoT/tax and V5C registration document, and also comes with an original Coombs key fob.

It is estimated that only some 25 3.8-litre Mk2 saloons were converted by Coombs, including the three or four competition cars raced as 'BUY 1' and 'BUY 2'. Of the 25 or so, at least one is known to have been destroyed, making the example offered here a very rare and desirable car. Described as in generally very good/excellent condition, '8504 PE' represents a rare opportunity to acquire genuine Coombs Mk2 that has been upgraded further in the spirit of the original. Johns Coombs surely would have approved.

2026-05-21 13:54:02 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 5/26

www.iconicauctioneers.com/1963-jaguar-mk2-rec16911-4-silverston-0726

Auction description:

The Iconic Sale at the BRDC Classic 2026 - Collectors' Cars

1963 Jaguar Mk2 3.8-Litre Coombs - Genuine period Coombs modified

A genuine period Coombs-modified Mk2 3.8, later comprehensively restored and enhanced, and carefully maintained within our vendor's Collection.

Registration Number 8504 PE

MOT Expiry Exempt

Chassis Number 231336DN

Transmission Manual

Body Colour Blue

This example, chassis number 231336DN, was supplied new via Henlys of London to its first owner, Bob Jennings, who is understood to have later owned a Lightweight E-Type. Seeking enhanced performance beyond the already capable standard specification, Jennings commissioned John Coombs to modify the car shortly after delivery. The works carried out were in keeping with Coombs’ well-established approach and included uprated camshafts, a lightened flywheel, twin 2-inch SU carburettors and a large-bore exhaust system. In addition, the car benefitted from a close-ratio gearbox, revised and lowered suspension, modified rear wheelarches and the fitment of an E-Type steering wheel, all contributing to a more focused and capable driving experience.

The car is known to have been entered in the 1964 BRDC Brighton Speed Trials by Bob Jennings, finishing second, reflecting its performance credentials and the intent behind its original modifications. Jennings retained the car for only a relatively short period before it passed through a number of subsequent owners during the 1960s and early 1970s. During this time, the original registration 37 PF was changed, and the car became known as ‘8504 PE’, a registration it retains today.

Following a period out of the public eye, the Mk2 was rediscovered in 1980 by Jaguar enthusiast Tim Spital, stored in a private garage in Twickenham. By this stage, the car had been partially dismantled, though importantly remained substantially complete. Over the following years, Spital carefully gathered a large number of original and correct Jaguar components, both major and minor, with the intention of undertaking a full restoration. Unfortunately, ill health prevented this work from commencing and in 1997 the car, along with its accumulated parts, was sold to David Sedge of Maidstone, a professional restorer and former Browns Lane employee.

What followed was a comprehensive and detailed rebuild carried out by Sedge, with the car stripped to a bare bodyshell and painstakingly restored. With the exception of one wing, all body panels are understood to be original, an important factor in preserving the car’s integrity. Mechanical work was entrusted to leading Jaguar specialist Rob Beere, who carried out significant engine development, while the gearbox was rebuilt by Colin Sharpe using Quaife components. The electrics were rewired to a high standard whilst retaining a period appearance, and the interior, brightwork and woodwork were all restored by respected specialists.

The resulting specification reflects both the original Coombs ethos and considered later enhancements. Highlights include a Rob Beere ‘Option 4’ lead-free cylinder head, high-capacity oil pump, 9½-inch competition clutch, oil cooler, aluminium radiator, alternator conversion, rebuilt competition overdrive, quick-ratio steering box, competition wire wheels and a louvred bonnet. Finished in its original Opalescent Dark Blue, the car is complemented by a re-trimmed grey interior, presenting in a manner that balances authenticity with usability. It is understood that the car produces in the region of 300bhp and is reputed to be capable of approximately 135mph.

Following completion of the rebuild in 2001, the car was retained by Sedge before passing via a specialist dealer to a subsequent owner, and ultimately to our vendor in 2014. Since then, it has formed an important part of a carefully curated private Collection. During current ownership, the car has been maintained by the Collection’s in-house mechanic and has been both used and shown, reflecting confidence in its usability as well as its presentation.

Further sympathetic improvements have been made during this period, including the fitment of a stainless steel exhaust system in 2020, along with new carpets and a replacement headlining in the same year. These works have been carried out with a view to continued enjoyment, without detracting from the car’s character or historical significance.

Documented, well-known and authenticated as a genuine Coombs-modified example, this Mk2 represents one of a very limited number produced. With period competition associations, a comprehensive restoration by a recognised specialist and careful subsequent stewardship, it offers a rare opportunity to acquire an important and highly usable example of one of Jaguar’s most celebrated performance saloons, presented in a form that remains entirely true to its original intent.